Monobloc Actuator

Porsche Design Inaugurates a New Era for Chronographs

The Watch Quote™ - April 20th, 2017

Time measurement and motorsport are inherently linked, like a balance wheel and an escapement. As a reliable instrument for measuring time, a chronograph can ac- curately tally and document outstanding achievements and best times, precise to mere fractions of a second. As such, the chronograph has come to symbolize the athletic spirit of competitive sports and has inarguably become the most popular complication among watch aficionados.

Technology Transfer between Motorsport and Watchmaking

With the new Monobloc Actuator Collection, Porsche Design sets new standards in the art and science of time measurement. The watchmakers at Porsche Design Timepieces AG in Solothurn, Switzerland collaborated with the designers at Studio F. A. Porsche in Zell am See, Austria and the engineers at Porsche Development Centre in Weissach, Germany to develop this line. The result is a revolutionary new approach to the operation of a chronograph. The role model for this innovative mechanism is the racing engine of the new Porsche 911 RSR: a paradigmatic example of precision and performance on the highest level.

The timepieces comprising the Monobloc Actuator line achieve the unprecedented feat of literally engineering the chronograph’s buttons seamlessly into the case of the watch. A multiply borne rocker switch alternately sets into motion and halts the chronograph mechanism of automatic Calibre ETA Valjoux 7754. Like the valves in the racing engine of the 911 RSR, this mechanism provides absolute precision, dependability, and continual, reliable protection against moisture penetration throughout operation. This means the stopwatch function of this chronograph, which is pressure-resistant to ten bar, is operational underwater.

The Monobloc Actuator GMT-Chronotimer model versions offer the ideal companions at 24-hour races, or simply jetting across multiple time zones. Each version comes in a 45.5 millimetre titanium case, the staple material for the brand since its innovation in 1980. The watches, available with a matte black or a deep blue sunburst-dial, come on a rubber strap, or an all-titanium bracelet, which utilizes a folding clasp with integrated fine-adjustment-mechanism to ensure a perfect fit.

The Monobloc Actuator 24H-Chronotimer features an innovative black titanium-carbide coating over its titanium case, a matte black dial, and a checkered-flag design function indicator at “9 o’clock” – especially useful due to its optimal readability. This model is exclusively available on a rubber strap with deployment buckle.

The new product family – unveiling at Baselworld 2017 – is further proof of Porsche Design’s passion for innovation and performance. Maintaining the design philosophy of Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the collection demonstrates a product’s design is a logical consequence of its inner structure and function. The new Monobloc Actuator Collection will be available in Porsche Design stores and select wholesalers starting in May 2017. Prices range from approximately $6,350 to $6,850.

New 911 RSR for Le Mans

The most spectacular nine-eleven ever

Stuttgart. Porsche will tackle the 2017 racing season with an all-out newly developed GT racer. The new 911 RSR makes full use of the breadth of the Le Mans 24 Hours GT regulations, and in addition to systematic lightweight design, features the ultra-modern, flat-six unit positioned in front of the rear axle. The four-litre, extremely light aggregate features direct fuel injection as well as a rigid valve drive and is characterised by outstanding efficiency. The new 911 RSR will make its debut at the Daytona 24-hour race in January 2017.

“While retaining the typical 911 design, this is the biggest evolution by now in the history of our top GT model,” says Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser. The new 911 RSR is a completely new development: the suspension, body structure, aerodynamic concept, engine and transmission have all been designed from scratch. The engine concept has enabled the designers to install a particularly large rear diffuser. Combined with a top-mounted rear wing adopted from the LMP1 race car, the 919 Hybrid, the level of downforce and the aerodynamic efficiency were significantly improved.

“For the 911 RSR, we deliberately focussed on a particularly modern and light normally-aspirated engine, as this gave our engineers immense latitude in developing the vehicle,” explains Dr Walliser.“Apart from that, in principle, the LM-GTE regulations stipulate the absolute equality of various drive concepts, as the torque characteristics of turbo and normally aspirated engines are aligned.” Depending on the size of the restrictor, the new normally-aspirated unit puts out around 375 kW (510 hp).

Shift paddles on the steering wheel actuate the sequential six-speed gearbox with a magnesium housing, which delivers power to the 31-centimentre-wide rear wheels. The changeover to the new engine generation is now complete. After the 911 GT3 R and the 911 GT3 Cup, the spearhead of Porsche GT racing cars is now also powered by the same cutting-edge six-cylinder boxer engine family.

In the past, Porsche has already thoroughly pushed the limits with the concept of the 911 – in 1996 with the 911 GT1. With great success: In 1998 the 911 GT1 achieved the 16th overall victory for Porsche at the Le Mans 24-hour race. Back then, the fastest vehicle in the field emerged from the GT1 class.

For the first time, a Porsche GT race car features state-of-the-art assistance systems: the new 911 RSR is equipped with a radar-supported collision warning system, the so-called “Collision Avoid System”. Even in the dark, the faster LMP prototypes are detected early enough and misunderstandings can be avoided. A new safety cage concept and a new, rigidly-mounted racing seat enhance driver safety. With the seat fixed to the chassis, the pedalry can now been moved and adjusted to fit the driver.

The new 911 RSR’s serviceability has also been significantly improved: Entire elements of the carbon-fibre body can be exchanged completely in a very short time thanks to clever quick-release fasteners. Moreover, changes to the suspension setup can be performed much more quickly and easily.

With the look of the body wrapping, the 911 RSR is striking out in a new direction: For the first time, the GT racer bears the new factory design that has further developed the clear and dynamic design language of Porsche Motorsport. From a bird’s eye view, a hint of the Porsche emblem silhouette can be seen. The basic colours remain white, red and black.

In the 2017 season, the factory is expected to run the new 911 RSR at 19 outings which equates to more than 140 hours of racing. With two factory-entries, Porsche will tackle the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) including the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the American IMSA Weathertech Championship. The new racer will celebrate its debut under the toughest conditions at the IMSA season opener in Daytona on 28-29 January. “We’re very well prepared for this,” says Marco Ujhasi, Head of GT Works Sport. “Since its first rollout in Weissach in March this year we’ve covered 35,000 test kilometres on racetracks in Europe and North America – that’s more than in the development of any other Porsche GT racer.”

Porsche Design

Porsche Design creates the basis for another innovative watch concept

Engineering Time

Porsche Design

Stuttgart. Porsche Design. A brand that reflects both its origins and its philosophy in the name. Established in 1972, the designers have ever since drawn inspiration from Porsche’s performance in motorsports. The defining elements are design competence, technical thinking and the transfer of technology from sports car construction to watch development. A philosophy that can be traced back to company founder Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the legendary Porsche 911 and countless other racing cars; a philosophy which is still being honoured to this day.

Certain innovations and key movements in racing car construction have also found their way into the design philosophy of Porsche Design, such as the selection of new types of materials for weight reduction or matte black fittings to avoid reflections. Since day one, the aim has always been to think one step further, to reevaluate new technologies and to drive developments forward – in other words, to question the status quo. This is what makes Porsche Design watches not just first-class timepieces, but precision tools.

1972 – the first entirely matte black wristwatch

1978 – the first watch with an integrated compass

1980 – the first chronograph made entirely from titanium

2004 – the first watch with mechanical-digital display

2017 – the next innovative watch concept

Innovations that have become indispensable in the watch industry.

Since the brand’s beginnings, all products have been designed in-house at the design studio F. A. Porsche in Zell am See, Austria. When Porsche Design Timepieces AG, the think tank for technological development, was established in Solothurn, Switzerland in 2014, it was the beginning of a new era. This continues to be where the timepieces are produced to the highest quality and technical standards, without compromise.

The strategic partnership with Porsche Motorsport ensures that this philosophy will be continued in the future by the sharing of findings from new research in the world of motorsports, to the production of these timepieces. Consequently, Porsche Design Timepieces has been appointed the “Official Timing Partner” for the Porsche Motorsport GT work programme starting as of 2017.Porsche and Porsche Design share a natural drive for constant improvement, the drive to be first, in motorsports but also in the watch industry. These shared values lead to timeless results with maximum performance.

About the Porsche Design Group:

Porsche Design is a premium-lifestyle brand founded in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. His mission was to build a company that takes the principles and spirit of Porsche beyond the automotive world. All Porsche Design products stand for precision and perfection, smart functions, refined functional design and boast an impressive level of technological innovation. Created and engineered by the legendary Studio F. A. Porsche in Austria and brought to life by carefully-selected manufacturers. Porsche Design products are sold worldwide in over 140 Porsche Design stores, high-end department stores, exclusive specialist retailers and the official online store (www.porsche-design.com).